Back on the road - 3rd gen VE5
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,179
From: Toronto, Canada
Back on the road - 3rd gen VE5
It's been a long process, but I've quietly been working away in the driveway since the snow melted in March/April to breathe some new mods to life in my 92 VE30DE 5SPD.
From waiting for upgraded ported parts to arrive, to repairing old brittle wires and hoses that broke like crackers while putting new parts in, to screaming obscenities at parts while standing on top of the engine bay that refused to budge, a coolant leak that required me tearing the entire engine down twice after I had already put it together once, much blood, much sweat much tears.
and so it begins...
The stock underdrive pulley was replaced with an ASP. Aside from just being prettier than stock, its at least 2.5 times lighter.
Then the ported/polished parts arrived from NWP Engineering, which included...
Upper and Lower Intake Manifolds
From waiting for upgraded ported parts to arrive, to repairing old brittle wires and hoses that broke like crackers while putting new parts in, to screaming obscenities at parts while standing on top of the engine bay that refused to budge, a coolant leak that required me tearing the entire engine down twice after I had already put it together once, much blood, much sweat much tears.
and so it begins...
The stock underdrive pulley was replaced with an ASP. Aside from just being prettier than stock, its at least 2.5 times lighter.
Then the ported/polished parts arrived from NWP Engineering, which included...
Upper and Lower Intake Manifolds
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,179
From: Toronto, Canada
Ported and Polished Throttle Body (stock/ported compared)
and NWP Phenolic Intake Spacers, bored out especially to match all the ported parts.
and so the tear down began...
off came the hoses, plugs, coils, injectors, upper and lower manifolds, throttle body, valve cover, and a giant thermostat coolant crossover pipe, and what seemed like thousands of nuts, bolts, screws, and clamps among other things.
When I got to the intake valley I discovered I wasn't the only one who liked the stylings of the VE. Vermin had made a nice little helicopter key nest.
and I also noticed I had a cracked Knock Sensor. Replaced that too.
but I'm never satisfied doing all that work without adding a signature touch to it
and NWP Phenolic Intake Spacers, bored out especially to match all the ported parts.
and so the tear down began...
off came the hoses, plugs, coils, injectors, upper and lower manifolds, throttle body, valve cover, and a giant thermostat coolant crossover pipe, and what seemed like thousands of nuts, bolts, screws, and clamps among other things.
When I got to the intake valley I discovered I wasn't the only one who liked the stylings of the VE. Vermin had made a nice little helicopter key nest.
and I also noticed I had a cracked Knock Sensor. Replaced that too.
but I'm never satisfied doing all that work without adding a signature touch to it
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,179
From: Toronto, Canada
so I added a signature touch to it.
Once it was all done I'm pretty sure I cried. It took me the better part of two months of work to see it come together.
So I had to pamper it with a celebratory wash, polish and wax. The first it had seen since the salt and snow was rinsed off it in April.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,179
From: Toronto, Canada
As nice as the exterior looks in photos, unfortunately the crap body work and paint I had done two years ago is proving that cheap is never the way to go with paint and bodywork.
My goal will be to eventually see the car looking as good in person as it does in pictures. The poor body work is blistering the paint everywhere, and the window seals are pitted, the door trim pieces looking worse for wear. Overall I'm still happy it looks good, but it still has room to grow.
The End.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,179
From: Toronto, Canada
Looks great man! I was wondering where you'd been. There's only a few of us left anymore that actually mod/care about our VE 5's other than just pure maintenance problems. 
Glad to see you're still at it.
BUT you didn't tell us how it performs now, we want updated track times!
Especially since you're running the Nistune IIRC. And, do you have an aluminum flywheel? The udp and flywheel combination is heaven by itself, and I can only imagine the port job would add to that.
I actually a few months ago took off my door/window molding ("belt molding" I believe they're called) pieces and stripped them down to the metal (it's not paint but more like a rubbery coating), and then repainted them. They look 100% brand new now. Been meaning to do my new VE but I'm too lazy
Glad to see you're still at it.BUT you didn't tell us how it performs now, we want updated track times!
Especially since you're running the Nistune IIRC. And, do you have an aluminum flywheel? The udp and flywheel combination is heaven by itself, and I can only imagine the port job would add to that. I actually a few months ago took off my door/window molding ("belt molding" I believe they're called) pieces and stripped them down to the metal (it's not paint but more like a rubbery coating), and then repainted them. They look 100% brand new now. Been meaning to do my new VE but I'm too lazy
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,179
From: Toronto, Canada
Looks great man! I was wondering where you'd been. There's only a few of us left anymore that actually mod/care about our VE 5's other than just pure maintenance problems. Glad to see you're still at it.
BUT you didn't tell us how it performs now, we want updated track times! Especially since you're running the Nistune IIRC. And, do you have an aluminum flywheel? The udp and flywheel combination is heaven by itself, and I can only imagine the port job would add to that.
I actually a few months ago took off my door/window molding ("belt molding" I believe they're called) pieces and stripped them down to the metal (it's not paint but more like a rubbery coating), and then repainted them. They look 100% brand new now. Been meaning to do my new VE but I'm too lazy
Glad to see you're still at it.BUT you didn't tell us how it performs now, we want updated track times!
Especially since you're running the Nistune IIRC. And, do you have an aluminum flywheel? The udp and flywheel combination is heaven by itself, and I can only imagine the port job would add to that. I actually a few months ago took off my door/window molding ("belt molding" I believe they're called) pieces and stripped them down to the metal (it's not paint but more like a rubbery coating), and then repainted them. They look 100% brand new now. Been meaning to do my new VE but I'm too lazy
As for the track times, that won't come until I actually tune the car with all the new parts, on top of waiting for the temps to cool off. Yeah I do have the lightened Fidanza flywheel and ASP UDP combo. I can't say I can tell a difference on the butt dyno, but I know for a fact I'm having to switch gears far quicker than when I was stock. We'll see what it all yields in due time.
The focus is on tuning it all now.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,179
From: Toronto, Canada
... but I have the VE tails too. Never put them on. Guess I should to see if I prefer them, but somehow I doubt it. I've always been attached to the VG SE tails. We go back a long way.
well, it is your car so it is up to you. but i have always loved the VE SE tails better than the VG SE tails. im not a fan of the turn signals wrapping all the way across to the quarter panel vs. the VE SE tails. just my opinion. but still your car looks 20x's better than mine. keep it up buddy.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,179
From: Toronto, Canada
Yes I have said it before, one of the (if not THE) best looking 3rd gen Maximas...period. Nice work.
I have to go with you on the VG SE tails. I never liked the VE tails. But to each their own right? Heck what do I know? I R33'd mine
I have to go with you on the VG SE tails. I never liked the VE tails. But to each their own right? Heck what do I know? I R33'd mine
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,179
From: Toronto, Canada
Ha! Not quite so sure I want to live up to those expectations, especially as he is dead, but thank you lol. Okay, I know - he is always with us. Much like my 3rd gen seems to have been for 14 years now.
If I'm going to accept 'kudos' for my work though, I have to give out props of my own where they are due.
Arron Kimball, founder of NWP, and fellow 3rd gen freak - thank you. Not just for the great workmanship, but your continued support when I've been stumped. He answered a lot of stupid questions with dignity lol.
Michael a.k.a (Hudnell) in my opinion is a master of 3rd gen aesthetics. His paint and body work have always been the source of my ideas. His upper intake manifold is pure drool - if you search it you'll see one of a kind 3rd gen artistry.
Shock211, an old school member here, and 3rd gen guru, but long since moved on from his 3rd gen. Fortunately, he lives right up the street from me and is a close friend and now Class A mechanic (bonus). He found the coolant leak where I couldn't. It was as simple as an untightened clamp kids - drove me nuts for days trying to figure it out.
Matt Blehm, Jeff92Se, Danny 'the bitter mod', have all helped and probably don't even realize they have - but I thank you too.
Truth is, I'm not sure when I'll be satisfied there is nothing left to be done to it. There's always something that can be improved. But I appreciate the momentum your kind comments have added to the journey.
If I'm going to accept 'kudos' for my work though, I have to give out props of my own where they are due.
Arron Kimball, founder of NWP, and fellow 3rd gen freak - thank you. Not just for the great workmanship, but your continued support when I've been stumped. He answered a lot of stupid questions with dignity lol.
Michael a.k.a (Hudnell) in my opinion is a master of 3rd gen aesthetics. His paint and body work have always been the source of my ideas. His upper intake manifold is pure drool - if you search it you'll see one of a kind 3rd gen artistry.
Shock211, an old school member here, and 3rd gen guru, but long since moved on from his 3rd gen. Fortunately, he lives right up the street from me and is a close friend and now Class A mechanic (bonus). He found the coolant leak where I couldn't. It was as simple as an untightened clamp kids - drove me nuts for days trying to figure it out.
Matt Blehm, Jeff92Se, Danny 'the bitter mod', have all helped and probably don't even realize they have - but I thank you too.
Truth is, I'm not sure when I'll be satisfied there is nothing left to be done to it. There's always something that can be improved. But I appreciate the momentum your kind comments have added to the journey.
very nice, were those aarons old ported manifold/plenum/TB? or did you send yours in to get ported?
there seems to be a trend with nesting findings in the knock sensor valley area of these motors - you have it, someone else had it and i so did i
any trouble with the main wiring harness with cracking/brittle wires etc?
How many miles on your motor? I currently have mine (entire car) stripped down to the bare chassis - what started as a JDM VE swap job turned into a major resto-project, redoing the suspension, rust prep, etc - ill post an update thread in the near future
there seems to be a trend with nesting findings in the knock sensor valley area of these motors - you have it, someone else had it and i so did iany trouble with the main wiring harness with cracking/brittle wires etc?
How many miles on your motor? I currently have mine (entire car) stripped down to the bare chassis - what started as a JDM VE swap job turned into a major resto-project, redoing the suspension, rust prep, etc - ill post an update thread in the near future
it basically ensures we won't be losing another VE 5 guy any time soon
The car looks good. I am also liking the dual tipped muffler. Do you have any sound clips of it? I want an after market dual tip, but I want one that is not very loud, I know my previous magnaflows were pretty loud.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,179
From: Toronto, Canada
For further inquiries, please contact Aaron at aaron@nwpengineering.com
My motor has roughly 180,000 miles on it. Great that you went all the way down to the chassis. That's enviable, and without a doubt the ideal way to go.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,179
From: Toronto, Canada
Originally Posted by cardana24
...do you have before and after flow numbers?
The car looks good. I am also liking the dual tipped muffler. Do you have any sound clips of it? I want an after market dual tip, but I want one that is not very loud, I know my previous magnaflows were pretty loud.
The car looks good. I am also liking the dual tipped muffler. Do you have any sound clips of it? I want an after market dual tip, but I want one that is not very loud, I know my previous magnaflows were pretty loud.
Originally Posted by perkman87
is that an exhaust dump under the car??? IF SO SWEEEET.
The VE5 with Magnaflow (and exhaust cutout) can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYeC6_3tM44
The original video of the same muffler when it was mated to the VG Auto can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6Yy-mGBU_A
only for the cutout tho. non-cutout still goes to the rear
ntrly
at maxus last month i went head-to-head against am_blackmax and my VGLSD5 was quicker than his VEAuto (but he holeshotted me), and our PB's of the day had me running a tenth quicker... with hideously unbalanced wheels and dumping the clutch at the tree. so only VE-5 guys get to have the glory. sawwy
i would like to see where everything is, and how you're keeping all your bolts n crap organized....... 
ntrly
at maxus last month i went head-to-head against am_blackmax and my VGLSD5 was quicker than his VEAuto (but he holeshotted me), and our PB's of the day had me running a tenth quicker... with hideously unbalanced wheels and dumping the clutch at the tree. so only VE-5 guys get to have the glory. sawwy
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,355
From: Surrey, B.C
ntrly
at maxus last month i went head-to-head against am_blackmax and my VGLSD5 was quicker than his VEAuto (but he holeshotted me), and our PB's of the day had me running a tenth quicker... with hideously unbalanced wheels and dumping the clutch at the tree. so only VE-5 guys get to have the glory. sawwy
at maxus last month i went head-to-head against am_blackmax and my VGLSD5 was quicker than his VEAuto (but he holeshotted me), and our PB's of the day had me running a tenth quicker... with hideously unbalanced wheels and dumping the clutch at the tree. so only VE-5 guys get to have the glory. sawwy
yea you should, if you can. but i must say, the VE really impressed me with the topend (when i drove vince's car)...... it felt like the car was hit from behind at 4000rpm in 1st haha.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,355
From: Surrey, B.C
Lookin' good Hadly! Your maxima is one of my favorites. 
I've been anxiously waiting for you to dyno tune that VE. I want to see what kind of numbers it will put down.
Lol. My nitrous kicks in at 4k rpm... As soon as it hits 4k in 2nd gear w/nitrous, it immediately taps the rev limiter due to wheel spin. When it hits 4k in 3rd, it feels like bus hit me from behind.
I've been anxiously waiting for you to dyno tune that VE. I want to see what kind of numbers it will put down.
I wonder if he could put down 190-200 ish? I put down 180 hp and 185 ft. lbs of tq in my VE 5 speed several years ago. That was with 'just' CAI, y-pipe, Greddy catback, and flywheel/udp. Would bet the port work, proper tune, NWP spacers, etc. should be good for at least 10 hp?
I wonder if he could put down 190-200 ish? I put down 180 hp and 185 ft. lbs of tq in my VE 5 speed several years ago. That was with 'just' CAI, y-pipe, Greddy catback, and flywheel/udp. Would bet the port work, proper tune, NWP spacers, etc. should be good for at least 10 hp?
